Wakebait Fishing For Bass! (Everything You Need To Know)

BIG Wakebaits Catch BIG Bass! Today We're going to show you how to fish them! From the basics of retrieves and lure shapes, to advanced details on bait design, we're breaking down all the details of fishing with big topwater for bass. Whether you like to throw a lipped Wake, a multi joint, a rat, or giant walking bait, these are the details you need to know!

Very few baits are capable of catching bass in both Summer and Winter, around cover or open water, which makes it even more amazing that wakebaits are largely overlooked by many anglers. It's time for that to change! Let's start with a look at the River2Sea Tactical Wake 210, but we won't stop there. Next we're looking at stand out baits from around the industry.

Below you'll find links to the exact baits and equipment Matt discussed in the video. He's also included his favorite rod and reel combos for fishing these baits effectively, along with his favorite hook upgrades. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

THE TACTICAL WAKE...

•River2Sea Tactical Wake 210: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

Colors: Copper Carp, Tactical Shad, Chrome Gill

LIPPED WAKE BAITS...

•Clutch Wake Gill: https://bit.ly/3yvR3Zb

Colors: Female Bluegill, Sunny Gill

•Bucca Bull Shad Wake: https://bit.ly/2yceVRt

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Dirty Bone

MULTI JOINTED BAITS...

•Spro 8” Trout Floater: https://bit.ly/2cU1x5P

Colors: Flat Rainbow, Hitch, Silver Fish

•Spro 6” Trout Floater: https://bit.ly/4bNGrDo

Colors: Blueback Herring, Rainbow Trout

WALKING BAITS...

•Megabass Mega Dog: https://bit.ly/2VIYoMH

Colors: MB Gizzard, Stealth Rainbow

•Baitsanity Antidote TUG: https://bit.ly/3Y0MhtS

Colors: Dark Bluegill, Metallic Trout

RAT BAITS...

•PB Rat 3 Piece: https://bit.ly/3eZJCgZ

Colors: Bone Brown, Brown Black

•PB Mouse 2 Piece: https://bit.ly/3WXTePp

Colors: Brown Black, Brown White

•Mike Bucca Bull Rat: https://bit.ly/2BnMr4r

Colors: Grey, Tan

•Spro Rat Wake: https://bit.ly/2tHDGyU

Colors: Ninja, Brown

HOOK UPGRADES…

•Owner ST 36 Trebles: https://bit.ly/2cWpeyw

1X Strong

Sizes: 2 - 2/0

•Owner ST 56 Trebles: https://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

3X Strong

Sizes: 2 - 1/0

•Owner Hyperwire Split Rings: https://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Sizes: 5, 6

ALL AROUND SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– G Loomis 966C SWBR: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel– Calcutta Conquest MD 300: https://bit.ly/3ZBEK5p

Line– Maxcuatro (80 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate Mono (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3WqDIJp

WAKEBAIT COMBO...

Rod– St. Croix 7'10" Heavy SB Ranger: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb

Reel– Shimano Tranx 300 (HG): https://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Sunline Saltimate Mono (30 lb): https://bit.ly/3WqDIJp

BUDGET WAKEBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano SLX A 7'8" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3QbMjvs

Reel– Shimano Cardiff 300: https://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line– Power Pro Maxcuatro (65 lb): https://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader– Seaguar Blue Label (30 lb): https://bit.ly/48EP2Hz

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

NEW TacticalBassin Lures!! Wakebait, Swimbait, and Crankbaits! Full Review!!

River2Sea Tactical Wake 210 Wake bait! Bacca Burrito Swimbait "Tactical Shad"! Plus 6 new colors in the Tactical DD Crankbait! The new baits are here!! We've poured our creativity and knowledge into each of these projects and are so thrilled they've finally arrived! Here's what you need to know!

Our new Wakebait, the R2S Tactical Wake 210, is years in the making. We were on a mission to build a bait that was multi-faceted and that's exactly what we've done! We wanted a lipped, single jointed, soft tailed bait that could be slow crawled, chopped and walked, or steady retrieved with a large "V" wake. This bait excels at all of these retrieves! In the later half of the video we go in-depth on retrieves and actions with the wake bait to help you fish it to its full potential.

The Tactical DD 75 Crankbait is a phenomenal bait for targeting big bass and was specifically designed for cold water cranking. However, we've been surprised by its effectiveness in the warm water months so we're introducing 6 new fish catching colors to help round out the line and add to the bait's effectiveness throughout the year. 

The Bacca Burrito by Bull Shad Swimbaits is a proven fish catcher. When the opportunity arose to help Mike fill a void in his color selection, we jumped in! We both knew instantly what color we wanted added to the line. "Tactical Shad" is reminiscent of both Electric Shad and Tennessee Shad. This color is a staple in our line up and has been catching big bass from the very first color sample!

WAKEBAIT... 

-River2Sea Tactical 210 Wake: https://bit.ly/3aV6peA

CRANKBAITS... 

-R2S Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

SWIMBAIT... 

-Bacca Burrito 5" and 6": https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

FAVORITE WAKE COLORS BY REGION...

North: Chrome Gill

South: Tactical Shad

East: Copper Carp

West: Rainbow Trout

WAKEBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 30 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

BURRITO SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Shimano Expride B 7'7" Heavy: https://bit.ly/32IrXqE

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BUDGET CRANKBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass 7'4" MH: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT (HG): http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Line- 12 lb Sunline Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

BUDGET WAKEBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy: https://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

Reel- 13 Fishing Concept A3: https://bit.ly/3GLddq8

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

BUYER'S GUIDE: SWIMBAITS, GLIDE BAITS, AND SWIMBAIT RODS

Today's Buyer's Guide is all about swimbaits. From Soft swimbaits to hard swimbaits, glide baits, and even wakebaits. We're covering the best of the best to help you catch more fish! If you're tired of throwing money away on experiments, these are baits you can rely on. 

Finding the right swimbait for your fishing style can be really expensive and frustrating. Our goal today is to eliminate all the headaches and let you learn from our experiences. The baits in this video are proven fish catchers and very affordable for their categories. 

Below you'll find links to the exact baits. We've included color recommendations for each as well as any rigging components you may need. We've also included some of our favorite rods and reels as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SOFT SWIMBAITS... 

-Megabass Magdraft Freestyle: http://bit.ly/3bRG3Wi

Colors: White Back Shad, Albino Pearl Shad, Brownie

Hook- Owner Beast 8/0: http://bit.ly/2ancP66

-Bacca Burrito 6": https://bit.ly/3p5SkiW

Colors: Golden Shiner, Threadfin Shad, Pearl White

-Savage Gear 8" RTF: https://bit.ly/33GROg1

Colors: Dirty Silver, Ghost Trout, Trout

-Savage Gear Line Thru Bluegill: https://bit.ly/3pCRab7

Colors: Bluegill, Ghost Gill

HARD SWIMBAITS... 

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide: http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

Colors: TW Steelhead, Kokanee, Trout

-River2Sea S Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Colors: Bluegill, Light Trout, Warden Hitch

-G Ratt Sneaky Pete: http://bit.ly/2RYCPFe

Colors: JP Hitch, Gizzard Shad, Hitch

-Jackall Gantarel: http://bit.ly/2adZI3R

Colors: Ghost Gill, Spawn Gill

-Bull Shad Slow Sink (6" and 7"): http://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM

Colors: Gizzard Shad, Threadfin Shad

TOPWATER... 

-SPRO 8" Trout Floater: http://bit.ly/2cU1x5P

Colors: Flat Rainbow, Hitch

-PB Rat 3-Piece Rat: https://bit.ly/3eZJCgZ

Color: Brown Black, Bone Brown, Black

OUR FAVORITE SWIMBAIT COMBO... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: https://bit.ly/3ktZFnF

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 80 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC100 35 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

BUDGET RODS/REELS... 

-Savage Gear Squad 8' Heavy: https://bit.ly/3tT8bS2

-Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

-Shimano Cardiff 300A: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

RELATED SWIMBAIT VIDEOS... 

-Swimbait Fishing For Bass (Full Seminar): https://youtu.be/mtOwKJaz1vg

-How To Rig Swimbaits: https://youtu.be/91EnJ0dGRXg

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

Best Baits to Target Bluegill Eaters

We focus a lot on trout and shad imitators out West but we all know that bass love to eat bluegill. When the water begins to warm the bluegill becomes a major forage base for bass and you shouldn't overlook them. This week Matt breaks down his Top 5 Baits to best imitate a bluegill so you can begin to catch those big summer bass. 

The key to successfully imitating bluegill is to find baits that not only get bites but are also slim enough to have a high hookup ratio. There's nothing worse than getting giant bites and not hooking the bass! Below you'll find a breakdown of Matt's favorite bluegill imitating baits and the reasons he chooses them. 

The first category is the Squarebill crankbait. Bluegill eaters spend most of their time shallow and around heavy cover so the squarebill is a great option to coax a bite. Matt's favorite all around bluegill imitating squarebill is the River2Sea biggie. You might remember our squarebill debate from THIS VIDEO. 

The second category is the swim jig. When imitating a bluegill I love to use a keitech fat swing impact as a trailer on my California Swim Jig. This combination creates a wide thumping action that imitates a bluegill's tail really well. Quick tip: a chartreuse/blue keitech paired with a very natural looking jig adds a little chartreuse flash and really looks nice in the water! ...see picture below.

The third category is the soft swimbait. The two most widely available baits that best fit this category are the Mattlures Bluegill and the All American Sunfish. Both baits have a very natural profile and are great around cover. Quick Tip: The All American Sunfish needs to be rigged on a swimbait hook of some kind. My preferred hook for this bait is the 5/0 trokar. 

The fourth category is topwater. My favorite large bluegill topwater is the MS Slammer. Its not perfect, but its good enough to get those monster bites and that's what counts! Another great option is the Jackall Gantarel. If smaller baits are your preference, you can't beat the popper. Personally, I'd throw the yellow magic though there are many other great options out on the market. 

The fifth and final category is the Senko. I hate to say it but the senko works incredibly well on bluegill eaters! They're ambush predators and the slow fall of the senko , especially when wacky rigged, really lures them out. Color comes down to personal preference but something with a bit of a chartreuse tail should get the job done. 

I hope you find these tips helpful! As always, we love hearing from you so feel free to leave a comment with your own experiences or even a topic idea for a video you'd like to see us do. Thank you for your continued support of tacticalbassin!